Referee Tony Chapron – who had earlier been forced to delay the start to the second half because of fans on the pitch – decided to tell the players to leave the field and called the match off in the 88th minute.

Senegal had taken the lead through a penalty scored by Liverpool striker Sadio Mane on 67 minutes, but Cyriac Gohi Bi equalized for the Elephants shortly afterwards.

Speaking to the BBC about the pitch invasion, L'Equipe journalist Herve Penot said: "[It] could have been very serious.

"I wouldn't say the people were violent, it was much more about trying to be with the players. But you never know what can happen, the organisation was a disaster, it was incredible.

"After 20-30 minutes a couple of people were on the pitch, then they couldn't start the second-half because they had people on the pitch and the referee said if it happens again he will stop the game. It was very messy."

On that occasion, stones, bottles and fireworks were launched onto the pitch during the match in Dakar. Ivory Coast were leading 2-0 when played was stopped in the 77th minute, and were subsequently awarded the victory by the same scoreline. Senegal were disqualified from the competition.